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FindLaw's WritOctober 2, 2007Despite the existence of pro- or anti-freedom to marry laws in nearly every state, litigation is still very relevant. This article provides a rundown of how it can be relevant in various states. [Link]

Asian Journal September 30, 2007A team of Asian American attorneys and advocates in California announced Wednesday, September 26th that a coalition of over 60 Local, State and National Asian American organizations will be filing a legal brief in support of equal marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples. [Link]

The SentinelSeptember 29, 2007State Sen. Gwendolyn Britt (D-Dist. 47) and Del. Victor Ramirez (D-Dist. 47) have both announced they would sponsor legislation in 2008 to allow same-sex couples to wed. Ramirez is championing the freedom to marry saying his cultural heritage allows him to identify with the desire for equal rights under the law. "Latinos and everyone fighting for equality, justice and freedom understand the importance of having the same opportunities and importance of being treated with fairness and compassion." [link]

Washington BladeSeptember 28, 2007Del. Todd Schuler (D-Baltimore County) said he plans to co-sponsor a civil marriage bill when it is introduced in the House of Delegates. He said he thinks about his wife and how he would feel if she were in an accident and he could not make decisions about her care. "I don't know what I would do," he said. "If they extend marriage rights to anyone, they should extend them to everyone. Churches don't have any right to tell the state who they can and cannot marry, any more than the state has the right to tell anyone who they can and cannot marry." [Link]

Washington BladeSeptember 28, 2007Dan Furmansky, the Executive Director of Equality Maryland reflected on the disappointing decision in the Maryland marriage case: "Equality Maryland's staff and board members share your feelings of disbelief and shock. We are taking the time to be angry and sad, but rest assured, we are already moving ahead. As you have likely heard, we will be asking the Maryland General Assembly to pass the Religious Freedom & Civil Marriage Protection Act during the 2008 session." [Link]

Canada.comSeptember 27, 2007Dave Quist, executive director of the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada, said his organization is ditching their fight against gay couples' marriages, and pushing instead for tax breaks and other incentives to make marriage and child rearing more attractive options. [link]

The San Diego Union-TribuneSeptember 27, 2007Jerry Sanders, a first-term Republican whose chance of re-election had seemed to dim in recent weeks, may have caused a huge turnabout in current politics by siding suddenly with mostly liberal voters in deciding that gays and lesbians should be allowed to marry a same-sex partner. His action will be felt locally, of course, drastically changing the outlook in next year's mayoral election. But the news penetration he achieved elsewhere in the world suggests that Sanders' action may have a bearing on the political equation nationally as well. [Link]

Blue JerseySeptember 26, 2007At tonight's first public hearing of the New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission, Garden State Equality presents a mountain of new evidence showing the failure of New Jersey's civil union law to provide equality as real marriage would. 30 civil-unioned couples from across New Jersey will present a joint letter to state leaders. An expert from Vermont will testify that civil unions in Vermont still don't work like marriage, seven years after Vermont enacted a civil unions law. [link]

WMTV15September 26, 2007The first lawsuit attacking the anti-gay marriage ban in Wisconsin was mostly dismissed by a Dane County judge Wednesday. The judge says the man cannot sue because he is not gay and has not been harmed by the amendment. "I think every citizen in the state has standing on this issue, including me," William McConkey said. "I was asked would I have done this if I didn't get have a gay daughter. Probably not. I'd still be outraged, but I wouldn't have put myself through this. But I'm fighting for my kid." [link]

ACLUSeptember 26, 2007"We are not treating all Californians equally if some can marry and others cannot," said Alice Huffman, President of the California Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. "The law should protect all people equally, and all Californians should have the choice to marry," she said. "I am honored to join other civil rights leaders in calling on our state to end its ban on marriage for lesbian and gay couples." [Link]